LAKE VIEW TERRACE : 2 Stable Owners Win Operating Permits

The owners of horse stables in Lake View Terrace and Sun Valley won partial victories Monday when a zoning official approved conditional permits for their continued operation.

More than 30 people showed up in support of Lilo Zipler, who owns the L & H Ranch in Sun Valley, and Dave Finizza, owner of the Summer Hawk Ranch in Lake View Terrace. They are two of 18 stable owners in the Valley cited by the city in December for not having business licenses or zoning permits.

But zoning administrator Albert Landini issued permits legalizing the stables for periods of five and 20 years.

The owners had argued against expirations for the conditional use permits, contending that they cannot afford to pay hundreds of dollars in city fees to renew them every five or 10 years.

Landini gave the owners three weeks in which to seek permits granted in perpetuity. He said he would issue his decision unless the city office of zoning administration directs him otherwise.

Arline DeSanctis, chief field deputy for Councilman Joel Wachs, said she will seek such a directive from Chief Zoning Administrator Bob Janovici in coming weeks.

“At least they got the conditional use and variances approved. Now it’s a question of the time limit,” said DeSanctis after the hearings Monday at the Van Nuys Woman’s Club.